The Path of the Protector

Alphas Council

Emily landed in Philadelphia, where her family had previously lived. The Royal Estate house md the Wolf Council, and most of the Alphas from across the planet had arrived.

Emily was quietly watching in the balcony as the appointed time came and went. They were all silent as they had assumed the Heir of Andromeda would have presented herself. She was however watching them, and smiled as the High Alpha stood and approached the lectern.

"We gather here today to determine who among us should have the right to challenge for the throne. The supposed Heir of Andromeda has not presented herself to this council for us to decide if we will follow her." High Alpha Viktor Nespire said determined.

Another of the Alphas stood and clesred his throat. "If we are to challenge for the throne, we should hold challenges. All those who believe they are strong enough can submit their name, so long as they are Alpha or Luna of a Pack." he announced boldly.

Emily watched for hours as they argued over who should be allowed to submit their names, as they knew the person would have to be a person of strength to lead them.

Finally one of those loyal to her stood, and silenced the entire hall with a large growl. "Why am I hearing weak, pathetic morons quibble about whonwe will select to challenge the Princess? How many of you truly believe you stand a chance of surviving in the ring with her?!" he demanded before he made his way to the front of the chamber. He walked right up to the High Alpha and forced him to move from the lectern.

"Not one of you that has stayed the desire to challenge her for the Throne could fight your way from a wet paper bag. We have all seen the videos that have been posted, half of you believe them a Hoax and the Royal Family Dead. If you believe that, fine I propose the strongest 32 Packs submit a champion, or not. Let us find out if the youngest child of Queen Andromeda, Heir to the Throne enjoys your Challenger as I will. As Alpha of the 7th ranked Pack, we support Princess Emily and yield the Throne to her." Aplha Todd said before he stormed from the hall.

Emily quietly slipped from the Balcony, and was standing next to the door when he approached. "Alpha Todd I believe, do you have a moment?" she asked without lowering her hood.

"I am in a hurry, what is it you want?" he demanded.

"I am curious as to why the strongest Alpha we have seen in many years is showing his support for the Princess?" Emily asked him pointedly.

"You dare question me young wolf?" he demanded as he approached and she lowered her hood to him so he could see her face. "Majesty." he said before dropping to a knee in front of her. "I trained with your Mother when we were younger, and know well you are indeed her child. However I do not believe the King to be your father, but she was Heir, not him."

Emily had suspected as much for a long time as well, however it was never something she could prove. "Your support is appreciated, come with me, we should watch the remainder of the proceedings from the Balcony." she said as she lead the way up the stairs.

They watched as Alpha Todds plan had been accepted, and only the top 32 Packs would be allowed to select a Champion. Most either chose their current Alpha, or the Heir Apparent of each Pack. 12 of them refused to Participate, and they had settled the rules before the lunch break. The first rounds would go quickly, as they had decided that the matches would be selected randomly afterward.

Alpha Todd invited the 12 Alphas who had refused to select a Champion to lunch, and each wondered who the young she wolf was sitting wearing a hood at the head of the table. "Welcome Alphas, we have much to discuss before the matches begin. First, each of you have refused to challenge, why?" He demanded for her.

The head of the second strongest pack growled slightly. "We made up the Kings Council boy, we still support the Heir of Andromeda if she is indeed alive." Alpha Parker growled.

"I assure you gentlemen, I am very much alive." Emily replied lowering her hood. "Parker, Jack, Gregory, Xander, good to see each of you again." she said as they all gasped and fell to a knee before her. "Rise gentlemen, we need to plan our next moves. It is time we reunite our people, and I expect each of you to continue in your roles." she said as Josephine entered and stood behind her.

Each of the men could smell the pack association for her, and they knew that she had been the soul survivor. "Majesty, may we ask what is happening?" Alpha Parker asked.

"You could, and I assure you all that all will be reviewed. Suffice it to say this is Josephine, one of my Oath Sworn Guardians." she said as Brian entered the room and each of the Alphas knew him well.

"The Challenges begin in half an hour, an additional 2 Packs have withdrawn and will not challenge." Brian told them all.

"What do we need to do?" Parker asked.

"Prepare your Packs for war, what is coming our way will require every warrior we have quickly." Emily said as they all looked at her in shock.

"It will be done milady, where shall we gather?" Xander asked.

"The Packs that are closest to the Southern Wastelands. We need to move in order to protect not just our people, but the Humans as well." she answered making it clear she had already considered the consequences.

"We could be revealed Majesty, and we all know what the laws-" Parker began before she growled.

"I dare a single one of you challenge my decision to reveal us to the Humans. I assure you it will not end well for any who do." She said with a deadly edge to her voice. "Brian, have you had any luck?" she asked.

"Yes Majesty, we have been invited to thier Capitol in 4 days time. They assure me they will be putting their forces on heightened alert, although I am not entirely sure they believe me." Brian answered for them all.

"Who are you referring to Brian? Which Pack?" Parker asked.

"The Humans Councilor." he replied to a shocmed gasp from several of them.

"Gentlemen, we have less than a week to mobilize our forces. Make no mistake gentlemen, we are at war. Revealing our existence to the Humans will be unavoidable, as our enemy feeds upon them to augment their attack forces. If we can deprive them of soldiers, and far worse abominations, we can end this war quickly." she told them all.

"Vampires have not dared attack in over 10 thousand years Majesty, what makes you think they are likely too now?" Parker asked incensed at the idea.

"You shall learn the answer to thatbquestion after the challenges have been completed. Let me say that my journeybof the last two weeks has been necessary to give us the chance to survive. The results have been interesting to say the least." she told them with a smile.

"We will send word Majesty." Parker said as he bowed. "In the meantime, I suggest we gather in one of the private booths overseeing the grounds. I am sure you wish to observe the challenges?" he asked.

"Of course, spread word among those not challenging, and invite those who are loyal to attend the booth. Do not inform them I am here and have been since this council began." she ordered.

Emily had watched the battles, the Alphas fighting for the honor of challenging for the Throne. The final two challengers entered the ring, and the fight began as the sun began to sink below the horizon. The moon began to rise, and Emily stood and walked from the private booth. It was relatively easy for her to get to the podium behind the Council Head, where those that had not been allowed to challenge had gathered.

2 dozen of them had sworn fealty to her, and with the Royal Council she had 3 dozen packs mobilizing for war as she watched the final 2 battle.

She used one of the secret tunnels, and entered the Royal Box and watched the end of the final fight to select the challenger. She was not surprised when it ended up being the Heir to the strongest Iron Fist Pack. They had long served as one of the Packs that was called to protect the Wolf Nation from threats.

The Celebration was deafening, as most of the Alphas in attendance had no idea she was watching. She waited until they had cleared the ring, and the High Alpha entered with his son. She smiled as he made his speech about earning the right to rule those below him, and challenged her to appear to defend her claim against their challenger.

Emily heard the arena go silent, as most of them waited to see if she would appear. She used the override to activate the microphone in the Royal Box beforenshe began clapping next to it. The sound could be heard all through the Arena, and the Alphas looking for the source of the sound.

Just than the moon began to rise, and the light illuminated the Royal Box where she stood. Her skin began tonglow brightly, the Power of the near full moon energizing her more than she could imagine. The Alphas began to see her, the light bright enough that it seemed a dozen spotlights were on her.

"Congratulations Ethan, Son of Marcus, High Alpha of the Wolf Nation. You have won the right to challenge in accordance with the rules adopted by the Alphas Council. I am Emily Dickinson, daughter of Andromeda Dickinson, heir to the Throne of Willam, Heir to the Throne of Kygor. Do you wish to challenge my rightful claim to the Throne?" she demanded. Her appearance in the Royal Box had shocked them, as none of the council had they key to unlock the door. It was kept with the King, and assumed lost.

Ethan looked at his father, who had assured him she was dead. He had no desire to challenge a rightful claim, and it was High Alpha Marcus who responded.

"If my son dares not Challenge you as he has won the right to do, I shall." he declared as Ethan bowed to him and cleared the ring.

"Very well Marcus, I accept your challenge. What rules shall we proceed with our duel?" she asked him seriously.

"Unarmed combat with our man and beast alike." he said with a smile. He believed himself capable of dealing with a newly changed wolf.

He watched as she descended the stands, and forced the glow to subside before she entered the ring. Marcus had stripped off his robes, and she was not surprised that even though he was past his prime years, he was still training.

She entered the ring, and he sneered as she kept her hardened leather armor on. He believed it would stop her from shifting, and smiled thinking it would be a weakness. "High Alpha Marcus, our fight is to the death. May the best wolf win." she declared as he attacked quickly.

He had not been prepared for how good at hand to hand combat she was, and knew within a few moments she was holding back against him. He could not reconcile how she looked with what she was doing. He threw another punch at her thinking he had caught her off guard, and found himself launched across the ring as she used his momentum against him with extreme efficency.

It took less than two minutes for him to realize he had no chance in human form and allowed his wolf to take charge and rip from him snarling. Emily shifted even quicker, and caught his wolf mid air as she stood on her hind legs.

Many of the Alphas had met her at one time or another, and they knew that William had been a Lycan. It had been a trait thought lost to the Royal Family, and she held him to her face before she roared so loudly it sent a shockwave of power across the entire arena.

She threw him from the arena so hard, he flew into a pillar head first splitting his skull. The impact killed him instantly as she began her howl, the Power of her Alpha Command at full intensity as she claimed her rightful Throne. Almost as one the Alphas dropped to a knee, none wishing to Challenge her now that they had seen her Wolf first hand.